Distinguished - Comprehensively analyzes a selected historical topic and research question. Statements are fully supported with research relevant to the assignment.

Proficient - Analyzes a  selected historical topic and research question. Statements are supported with research relevant to the assignment. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimally analyzes a selected historical topic and research question. Statements are somewhat supported with research that is partially relevant to the assignment. Releveant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to analyze a selected historical topic and research question; however, statements are not supported with details relevant to assignment and significant details are missing.

Non-Performance - The historical topic and research question are either nonexistent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Provides a thoroughly developed introduction and succinct analytic thesis statement, giving clear direction and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Provides a developed introduction and analytic thesis statement, giving some direction and purpose of the paper. The introduction and/or analytic thesis statement are slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Provides a minimally developed introduction and thesis statement are present, and somewhat give direction and purpose of the paper. The introduction and/or analytic thesis statement are underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Introduction and thesis statement are present, though incomplete. The direction and purpose of the paper is unclear. The introduction and/or analytic thesis statement are significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The introduction and thesis statement are either non-existent or lack the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Thoroughly appraises relevant historiography and response to contemporary discussion among historians on the selected topic.

Proficient - Appraises relevant historiography and response to contemporary discussion among historians on the selected topic. Minor details are missing.

Basic - Minimal appraises relevant historiography and response to contemporary discussion among historians on the selected topic. Relevant details are missing.

Below Expectations - Attempts to appraise relevant historiography and response to contemporary discussion among historians on the selected topic; however, significant details are missing. 

Non-Performance - Attempts to appraise relevant historiography and response to contemporary discussion among historians on the selected topic; however, significant details are missing. 

Distinguished - Conclusion is thoroughly developed and thoroughly summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper.

Proficient - Conclusion is mostly developed, and adequately summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper. The conclusion is slightly underdeveloped.

Basic - Conclusion is present, and loosely summarizes the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper. The conclusion is underdeveloped.

Below Expectations - Conclusion is present, though somewhat incomplete. It does not adequately summarize the research, content, direction, and purpose of the paper. The conclusion is significantly underdeveloped.

Non-Performance - The conclusion is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the assignment instructions.

Distinguished - Uses more than the required number of scholarly sources, providing compelling evidence to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Proficient - Uses the required number of scholarly sources to support ideas. All sources on the reference page are used and cited correctly within the body of the assignment.

Basic - Uses less than the required number of sources to support ideas. Some sources may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are used within the body of the assignment. Citations may not be formatted correctly.

Below Expectations - Uses an inadequate number of sources that provide little or no support for ideas. Sources used may not be scholarly. Most sources on the reference page are not used within the body of the assignment. Citations are not formatted correctly.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Uses appropriate, pertinent, and persuasive content to discover and develop sophisticated ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Proficient - Uses appropriate and pertinent content to discover ideas within the context of the discipline, shaping the work as a whole.

Basic - Uses appropriate and pertinent content but does not apply it toward discovering or developing ideas. Overall, content assists in shaping the written work.

Below Expectations - Uses content, though it may be unrelated or inappropriate to the topic. Content does not contribute toward the development of the written work and may distract the reader from its purpose.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Clearly and comprehensively explains the issue to be considered, delivering all relevant information necessary for a full understanding.

Proficient - Clearly explains the issue to be considered, delivering enough relevant information for an adequate understanding.

Basic - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, delivering minimal information for a basic understanding.

Below Expectations - Briefly explains the issue to be considered, but may not deliver additional information necessary for a basic understanding.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions. 

Distinguished - Displays meticulous comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains no errors and is very easy to understand.

Proficient - Displays comprehension and organization of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains only a few minor errors and is mostly easy to understand.

Basic - Displays basic comprehension of syntax and mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains a few errors which may slightly distract the reader.

Below Expectations - Fails to display basic comprehension of syntax or mechanics, such as spelling and grammar. Written work contains major errors which distract the reader.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Employs persuasive and applicable information from credible sources to develop an ample analysis or synthesis of the topic. Viewpoints of experts are scrutinized thoroughly.

Proficient - Employs applicable information from credible sources to develop an analysis of the topic.

Basic - Identifies applicable information from credible sources, but may neglect the application of such information toward the analysis of the topic. 

Below Expectations - Presents information from external sources, but such information may lack credibility and/or relevance. Neglects to apply such information toward the analysis of the topic.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - The length of the paper is equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Proficient - The length of the paper is nearly equivalent to the required number of correctly formatted pages. 

Basic - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least three quarters of the required number of correctly formatted pages.

Below Expectations - The length of the paper is equivalent to at least one half of the required number of correctly formatted pages.   

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.

Distinguished - Accurately uses APA formatting consistently throughout the paper, title page, and reference page.

Proficient - Exhibits APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout contains a few minor errors. 

Basic - Exhibits limited knowledge of APA formatting throughout the paper. However, layout does not meet all APA requirements. 

Below Expectations - Fails to exhibit basic knowledge of APA formatting. There are frequent errors, making the layout difficult to distinguish as APA.

Non-Performance - The assignment is either nonexistent or lacks the components described in the instructions.